NGD - Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Vintage Blonde

[Hydrilla]

Here's my new-to-me, in BRAND new condition, Classic Vibe Tele! I got it from a guy on CL for $200, and that includes a new strap, nice stand and Fender gig bag. When I say new condition, I mean he must've gotten this before customers gave it the once over at the store, because this thing truly doesn't have a mark on it anywhere. Dude sadly has some hand problems from the work he used to do, and just wanted to get the guitar in the hands of someone who would play it. He just bought it a couple months ago.

I have never picked up an electric guitar before that felt this natural immediately after starting to play. I love the small radius, the neck profile, the weight and balance- everything about it so far. The action is low, and almost ideal now that I tightened the truss rod a bit.

I've never had vintage style tuners before so I'm sure I'll need to get used to changing strings, but I noticed right away how smooth the tuning keys are, even compared to my Strat which I like very very much.

I plugged it into my Fender Princeton 5C2 clone tube amp, and was immediately blown away by the bridge pickup especially. Hugely distinct differences in sound between the 2 pickups. I can tell I am going to like both, and honestly I really like the middle position a lot.

This is my first Tele, and bottom line- I'm in love.

[InfiniteRhino]

Beaut! I've had mine for a while now. The bridge pup crapped out so I stuck a hot Texas Special in and re-did all the wiring plus a flat jack. My number one guitar for gigging.

[gypsyseven]

Congrats man, i also got butterscotch blonde one today....what dream to play it....

[CaptainSensible]

The neck on this guitar really is great. If the necks on the CV Strats are as comfortable as this, I'd order one tonight.

[BigD]

Nice snag and great pics. Thanks!!!

[bluesfordan]

congratulations, that's a fine pair of guitars. I've found that I actually prefer the vintage style tuners now. Once you learn how to string them (it is so easy), you might be converted, too.

That's an interesting amp, what is it?

[BigD]

I really like the slotted tuners alot.

I'm curious about the amp as well.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by CaptainSensible

The neck on this guitar really is great. If the necks on the CV Strats are as comfortable as this, I'd order one tonight.

The CV Strat necks are a little bigger thicker and are actually more comfy.

Stop in to a store and try one out.

You got a great deal on the Tele enjoy.

[Hydrilla]

I appreciate it, everybody. I'm really enjoying it. I thought I wouldn't be happy with anything other than a butterscotch blonde, but I like this one a lot more than I thought I would. I have seen them both in person now, and I like them both equally.

The neck really is nice. Is there that much of a difference between the Tele and Strat CV necks? I tried a CV Strat briefly and it seemed nice as well, wasn't a baseball bat which is good because I have average sized hands.

My buddy that has a really old and beautiful Jag has the same type of tuners, and he explained them to me- sounds like if I get the length right, I won't have too much trouble. Probably a little trial and error. Thankfully strings aren't too expensive.

The amp is one I bought from the guy that sold me the green Squier Strat. Here's the description from the Craigslist ad he posted. It makes me laugh to read the part where he says "sounds pretty cool", because that's just being modest. I've had a few friends who are much better players than me check it out, and they have been blown away.

DESCRIPTION: Here we have a repurposed vintage Pentron T3 "AstroSonic" tape recorder conversion to a Fender Princeton 5C2 octal base (8-pin) guitar amp. I have also wired the chassis with a 9-pin preamp tube socket in parallel with the 8-pin octal preamp socket. This configuration allows your choice of either preamp tube type. Converted the tape transport cover into the speaker bezel and mounted an 8" speaker. The stock Pentron output transformer was too small to reproduce bass frequencies, so it was replaced with a vintage Newcomb Audio OPTX (5k primary to 8-ohm secondary). About 4 to 5 watts output.

TUBES: The amp uses a 6X4 Rectifier (vintage Ken Rad), a 6V6 Power (vintage RCA JAN 6V6GT), and 6SC7 (new Sovtek reissue) octal (8-pin) preamp tube. And yeah, you could run both a 12AT7 and the 6SC7 together in parallel.

CONTROLS: Dual inputs allow for the stock 75k/75k lower gain input circuit, or a modern 38k/1meg input for a additional gain. Volume and Tone controls, plus the "Record-Listen" switch is wired up as a gain boost. Fuse holder, speaker out jack, power & standby switches round the front panel controls.

PREAMP CHOICE: The 6SC7 is a double triode with a shared cathode that has a gain of 70 & 70. The 9-pin equivalent would be a 5751 (gain of 70/70) or use a 12AT7 (gain 60/60). Since the octal tube has a somewhat darker tones, and the chassis had the space, I included a 9-pin socket in the event you wish to use any of the 12Ax7 family tubes in lieu of the 6SC7. Using a 12AX7 and the first input jack would emulate a Fender Harvard 6G10 circuit.

Sounds pretty cool with the currently installed speaker, but transforms into a completely different animal pushing air through dual 12's.

[doof]

I'm very jealous sir. I got the BSB a couple months ago, and have been trying desperately to refrain from buying the VB for the last couple weeks, but the temptation is getting too strong. congratulations!

[Wyzsard]

Congrats on the Tele, and thanks for taking time to post info on the amp. As soon as I saw the amp I was wondering what the heck it was.

Nice rig, including the strat